At the end of a row in an industrial park near the Watsonville Airport lies a hidden gem. If you guessed that I’m talking about a new brewery, you’d be right.

In July, Elkhorn Slough Brewing Company joined nearby Corralitos Brewing in keeping the beer momentum flowing in South Santa Cruz County. Previously known primarily for strawberries, olallieberries, and apples, Watsonville can now add beer to its list of tasty offerings.

Michael Enos and Julie Rienhardt, the husband and wife team behind the new brewery, recognize the area’s beer scene is still emerging and they’re happy to help in any way they can.

“We really think that Watsonville is under-appreciated for all its gifts and talents,” says Rienhardt. “The locals have totally embraced us and seem as eager as any other place to have and enjoy craft beer.”

Homebrewing since his 20s, Enos became more serious about his hobby 10 years ago. He sites winning county and state competitions as one of the reasons for taking his brewing to the professional stage.

“We believed we could create a unique product that the community would enjoy,” says Enos.

They were right. In addition to receiving positive feedback from local beer drinkers, the area’s brewing community has been supportive and welcoming, even offering advice to the first-time brewery owners.

Elkhorn Slough Brewing specializes in wild ales. With a philosophy of “simple and local,” the couple harvests and propagates yeast from their apple orchard and hope to use locally grown hops in the future. Ambient temperatures are used during fermentation and the municipal water remains untreated, creating beers that embody the flavor and beauty of the area.

The Beer Geek and I recently made our first visit to the brewery. Quietly situated at the end of a row of warehouse units, the tasting room was comfortable and casual. A mismatched collection of tables and chairs reminded me of Grandma Canham’s living room, while a large wooden table offered a more communal beer drinking experience.

We carried our sample “flight” (five beers for $10) in a muffin tin to the table and were soon joined by a couple with their two boys. We watched them settle in as Mom unpacked the snacks and Dad fetched the beer. The boys set up a game of Uno.

Our flight included Colibrí, a farmhouse blonde ale with a simple, refreshing feel, and Low Tide, the house saison offering a lemon-pepper profile. Both beers were a sessionable 5.5-percent ABV and highlighted the rustic terroir of the style.

Vierra, 5.7-percent golden ale, Moro Cojo, a tangy tropical wheat saison, and Goose Blind, described as a “juicy west coast IPA” rounded out our sample set. The beers were well crafted and stayed true to the brewery’s philosophy. The brewery’s wild ales were not yet available when we visited.

A couple arrived with their large dogs and sat at a nearby hightop. A few sips of beer later and everyone in our area joined in conversation. With such a neighborly ambience, visitors will be hard pressed to leave without having had a conversation with someone they’ve never met.

Elkhorn Slough exemplifies what craft beer is all about: small, local, and accessible. At a time when craft beer is plentiful, atmosphere is everything. Beer drinkers want tasting rooms that not only have good beer, but also offer a comfortable, inviting vibe. From tap to pint, this new brewery on the block fits the bill perfectly.

For a list of current beers go to Elkhornsloughbrew.com or visit them on FaceBook. And as they say at the brewery, “May the funk be with you.”